Then it was time to tackle that frumpy, floral skirt. This refashion was slightly more seat-of-the-pants, so the pictorial might be little lacking. It started simply enough, with the removal of about a foot of fabric off the bottom of the skirt and re-hemming the edge.

This is where lots of trial and error happened and I failed to properly document things photographically. Basically, I cut the trimmed-off bit into two pieces right down the side seams. Then I used one to create the front of the bodice and the other for the back of the bodice. Once I had all the kinks worked out, I attached the bodice to the skirt's waistband, echoing the existing pleats from the bottom to the top.

But my dress still needed straps. So I cut two strips from my remnants, about 3 inches wide and 16 inches long, made them into straps, and attached them to the top of the dress.

Friday, March 27, 2015

A couple months ago, Martyna, who blogs over at Spoolish, had the brilliant idea to do a swap amongst us Thrift Style Thursday girls. So we paired up, settled on a price range, and each went thrift shopping for another. Wanna get in on the fun? Read all the way to the bottom for your chance to win a thrifted outfit we'll pick out just for you!

Miche, of Buttons and Birdcages, was my swap partner, so I tried to keep her sort of Bohemian, world-traveler kind of style in mind while I perused the racks. One of the pieces I picked up was this lovely, beaded skirt with a gold butterfly print, which I styled as a dress with gold and pearl accessories, before I sent it along to her.

To see what Miche did with this skirt, along with the other goodies I sent her, click on over to her blog.

Now for the stuff she sent to me! Miche must have some awesome [read: super cheap] thrift shops in her area, because when I opened the box, the contents practically jumped out at me like one of those prank snakes-in-a-can.

There was a burgundy Merona tee and a beautiful red and green scarf, which I paired with my black skinnies, cream peep-toe flats, and an emerald (not real, of course) ring.

Miche also sent me a black, loose-knit sweater, originally from Bloomingdale's. The high front and low back of the neckline reminded me of this hot pink dress I had, so I decided to give the whole sweater-over-a-dress thing a whirl.

Finally, sharing my love of refashioning, Miche sent me a frumpy, floral skirt to makeover, and this navy blouse, which she may have meant to be worn as is, but I think I'm going to tweak it too. I repaired a busted side seam and replaced a missing button, but the neckline is just too tight for my liking. Check back on Sunday to see what changes I'm making to these two pieces!

Are you as anxious as I am to see what the other Thrift Style Thursday bloggers swapped too? Well then, let's go see! Check out the other swap partners to see what they thrifted for each other!

And now if you've stuck with me to the end, you deserve a prize! Here's your chance to win an outfit thrifted just for you! That's right! All you have to do is follow some or all of us TST ladies on some or all of your favorite social networks by filling out the Rafflecopter below for up to 36 chances to win a thrifted outfit of your very own. Four winners will be selected and a pair of participating TST girls will go shopping for you! How awesome is that?

Thursday, March 26, 2015

The theme this week was chosen by Andrea, of Little Did You Know. While she, in her northeastern climate, may be experiencing the more traditional winter blues, my blues are instead caused by the brevity of winter in my area.

I took this challenge as an opportunity to experiment with a color combination I've been wanting to try - cobalt and turquoise.

In addition to colors you might not think to put together, I also paired unlikely fabrics - a jersey knit maxi skirt and a 100% cashmere tank top.

And since it was such a lovely day, I decided to try out some different lighting scenarios as well. I wandered around the park for an hour and a half, playing with light, shadow, and camera settings. There were plenty of failures, but I think the successes made it a worthwhile enterprise.

How do you think the other Thrift Style Thursday have chosen to express their winter blues? Click their pics to visit their blogs and find out, or the TST icon in the center will take you to our Facebook page.

And be sure to check back tomorrow for the TST swap unveiling! See all the goodies we thrifted for each other, and have a chance to win a thrifted outfit for yourself!